At least 5000 families in hunger stricken Kiomo/Kyethani ward in Kitui County today scrambled for food donations from Oshwal community, a charitable organization.
About 200 members of the charitable body mostly Asians descended on the drought ravaged area with eight lorries full of food stuffs ranging from maize flour, sugar, rice and cooking oils worthy Kshs 10 million and randomly dished the subsidies to the residents.
Elated men, women and children were treated with packaged bales of the foodstuffs in an area that has witnessed the worst crop failure for the last three seasons thanks to Mwingi West parliamentary aspirant Patrick Koki who coordinated the activity.
“The food has come at the right time when everybody here is starving due to food shortage. This package will last me eight days, I’m really grateful,” said Jemimah Kalunda a delighted villager.
The organization’s chairman, Dhiru Shah said the plight of the residents was drawn to the charitable body by parliamentary aspirant and ” we are touched by the levels of poverty and suffering of the locals”.
He said the organization has made a commitment to alleviate the suffering of the residents adding that Oshwal consists of philanthropic Kenyan Indians who are engaged in different business across the country.
Koki urged the organization to help the community benefit from Tana River waters which cuts across the neighborhood tapped for agricultural use.